Monument, CO & Mt Evans (June 30 & July 1, 2, 3, 4 2023)

​I left Durango when my friends left for work. The drive to Monument, CO took me through Pagosa Springs, past ranches and farms as well as The Continental Divide at over 11K+ feet.  The scenery was amazing, and the temps rather cold, LOL!  I arrived in Monument to meet up with my friends and their parents to try to catch up on 7+ years of time that had gone by. 
While staying in Monument, CO my friends and I spent a day driving the Gold Belt Scenic Byway (CO Rt 67) through Victor and Cripple Creek.  It was a dirt road through switchbacks, and narrow roads with overhangs.  We had a picnic lunch in Victor, a gold mining town still in operation.  We made our way towards home by driving down the shelf road, then stopped at Royal Gorge – America’s Bridge.  Royal Gorge was a very deep canyon that many a rafting trip traversed as we could see from the bridge.  People also climbed the gorge walls – scary, I would never do it!  Then it was home for dinner. 
The next day the entire family set off for Mt Evans in the Arapaho National Forest, one of the 14teeners (14K+ feet high).  We stopped first for breakfast and then arrived at Mt Evans for our timed ticket entry.  The drive up wound round the mountain with switchbacks, narrow roads, and cliff drop offs that freaked me out.  (I discovered if I am driving, I do not have the same problem).  Along the way we saw wildlife, and amazing scenic vistas.  At the top we all got out to go exploring.  After 2 minutes I realized I was experiencing vertigo.  At first, we thought it might be altitude sickness but if I did not move it went away, so I expect it was an inner ear problem.  So, they went hiking to the summit, while I stayed below and took pictures of the white Billy goats, Marmots and Pikas, and took in the view.  On our way down the mountain and back home we went through Iowa Springs, a cute Colorado town with restaurants and artsy shops.  We had Linner and then headed home. 
The last day I was in Monument, CO was July 4th, a day for family celebrations; Parents siblings, and nieces came for the afternoon BBQ.  It was fun, and relaxing.